Attachable packages for thin, elongated devices

ABSTRACT

Individual elongated containers, preferably square or rectangular in cross section are provided for holding tools and materials necessary for a dental procedure. The containers all have structure on two or more sides thereof to allow them to be assembled together into a single structure so that the practitioner can assemble his own procedure kit. This allows the user to assemble a series of containers holding different sized devices or different devices in a small assembled structure for easy access, to vary the components of the structure as required for each procedure and to remove an empty container or a container with the incorrect contents from the assembly and replace it with a proper device or material. The containers are particularly configured to hold thin, elongated devices, such as a series of containers for different size endodontic files, gutta percha, swabs, absorbent paper points, posts, or other dental tools or materials.

The present application relates to packaging for elongated devices, suchas medical devices, each package containing different devices ordifferent sizes of the same devices. The individual packages aresuitable for assembly by the user into a procedure kit. In particularthe application is directed to elongated devices for use in dentalprocedures and, in a particular embodiment, instruments and materialsused in endodontic procedures.

BACKGROUND

In numerous medical procedures and particularly dental procedures thephysician dentist or dental technician will use several different toolsand various different sizes of particular tools. In a dental root canalprocedure the crown of a diseased tooth is opened in order to allowaccess to the canal in the tooth to be cleaned and then filled. Thedental practitioner removes the pulp material forming the nerve of thetooth at issue, carefully prepares the canal that contained the nervematerial, and other pulp tissues and obturates or fills and seals thecanal. After the crown is opened, a series of very elongated flexibleinstruments, commonly called files, are used to clean out and shape theroot canal. Each file is rotated either manually or by a powered dentalhandpiece and reciprocated in the canal by the clinician. Files ofincreasingly larger diameters or varying contours or tapers are used insequence, to achieve the desired cleaning and shaping. After the canalis prepared and the tissue and nerves are removed, it is solidly filledwith a filling material, which typically comprises a waxy, rubberycompound known as gutta percha. The gutta percha can be manuallyintroduced into the canal or an instrument, referred to as a compactor,can be inserted into the prepared canal and rotated and reciprocated tocompact the gutta percha therein. The portion of the canal above thegutta percha is then filled with a protective cement. A crown may beplaced over the tooth. A dental post may be placed into the newlyprepared root canal to provide support for the coronal aspect of thetooth.

In performing the root canal procedure there is an ongoing need for kitswhich would allow the practitioner to assemble, prior to performing theprocedure, all of the tools or materials required or which might berequired. These tools and materials are typically provided in bulk orsingle use packaging and end up being scattered on surrounding tables,trays and cabinet surfaces.

As an example, endodontic files used to clear and shape the canal arecommonly supplied to the clinician in kits which comprise several filesof increasing diameter generally ranging from 0.08 mm at the tip (size08) to 1.40 mm at the tip (size 140). The kits typically contain anumber of files of increasing diameter so that the files from aparticular kit may be used in sequence by the clinician in accordancewith the requirements of the particular canal being cleaned. Also, inthe conventional kits, the working length of each file in the kit istapered, at an included angle of between about ½ and 4 degrees, thetapers of all of the files in the kit being the same.

The endodontic procedure includes the steps of inserting a selected oneof the instruments in the above described kit into the root canal androtating and reciprocating the instrument so as to extirpate the canaland form the canal into a general conical configuration including arelatively wide crown portion and an apex at the inner end of the rootcanal, and withdrawing the selected first one of the instruments fromthe canal and inserting a selected second one of the instruments in thecanal, with the selected second one of the instruments having a largerdiameter and a taper which differs from that of the selected first oneof the instruments, and rotating and reciprocating the selected secondone of the instruments so as to extirpate the canal and further form thecanal into a general conical configuration. The second file is then iswithdrawn from the canal and a third file having a larger diameter and ataper which differs from that of the selected second file is inserted inthe canal and rotated and reciprocated in order to extirpate the canaland further form the canal into a general conical configuration.

Many devices, particularly elongated products are packed in containersholding several of the products, for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,802,U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,891, U.S. Pat. No. 3,815,734, U.S. Pat. No.4,266,667 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,064. Devices used in dental proceduresmay be packaged in a bulk package (i.e. 1 dozen, 20 units, etc) suchthat the practitioner must removed the desired product from the packageand assemble the tools and materials needed for a procedure. U.S. Pat.No. 5,429,243 to Woelk et al. shows a packaging box for receiving aplurality of elongated objects such as small bottles or ampoules. U.S.Pat. No. 3,759,375 to Nappi shows a shipping package containing multipledisposable swabs, each swab in a trough in a separable section. Otherpatents show various different trays for receiving tools for use indental procedures such as U.S. Design Pat. 288,846 and U.S. Pat. No.4,333,567 to Leonard. U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,694 shows a tray with multiplecompartments of different sizes and shapes for receiving the variousinstruments and materials used in a procedure. A further alternative isa single package which includes several products (a starter drill, afinishing drill and multiple dental posts) for use in placing postsfollowing a root canal procedure (U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,485). U.S. Pat.No. 5,653,590 is directed to a kit of endodontic instruments, namelydifferent diameter and different taper files for use in a root canalprocedure but does not discuss how these tools are packaged.

There are also patents disclosing multiple containers provided withstructure or shape so that they can be nested together. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,530 shows bottles having nesting shapes which arethen held together by an external wrapper. U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,812 showsfour containers which when assembled form a structure with a circularperiphery, each bottle comprising one-quarter of the cylindricalstructure. Each one of the bottles has two flat sides, one flat sidehaving a protrusion and the other flat side having a mating indentation.When assembled the protrusion on one bottle rests in the indentation onthe adjacent bottle for forming the integral cylindrical arrangement.U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,007,540 and 5,115,916 to Beasley show four containerseach having a triangular cross section. Two of the three sides of eachcontainer have the mating halves of a hook and loop attachment systemsecured thereto such that when nested together around a central corestructure the four containers form a square structure with four separatecompartments.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the invention herein disclosed all of the tools andmaterials necessary for the dental procedure are provided in individualelongated containers, preferably square or rectangular in cross section.The containers are configured to hold thin, elongated devices, such as aseries of containers for different size endodontic files, gutta percha,swabs, absorbent paper points, posts, etc. Additional attachableindividual containers may be provided to hold various liquids, powderedmaterials or paste used in the procedure along with tools to apply thosematerials.

The containers all have structure on two or more sides thereof to allowthem to all be assembled together into a single structure so that thepractitioner can assemble his own procedure kit. This allows the user toassemble a series of different sized devices or different devices(files, guta percha, absorbent points, etc.) in a small assembledstructure for easy access, to vary the components of the structure asrequired for each procedure and to remove an empty container or acontainer with the incorrect contents from the assembly and replace itwith a proper device or material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a containerincorporating features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an assembly of four containers such as shown in FIG. 1arranged in a linear array.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment incorporatingfeatures of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an assembly of five containers such as shown in FIG. 1arranged in other than a linear array and including two different sizecontainers.

FIG. 6 is an assembly of seven containers such as shown in FIG. 1arranged in other than a linear array and including two different shapecontainers.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a containerincorporating features of the invention, the container having squareconnecting extensions.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment showing a shortcontainer incorporating features of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an assembly of two containers such as shown in FIG. 7 and twocontainers such as shown in FIG. 8 arranged in a linear array.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a dental procedure, such as an endodontic procedure, the clinicianwill use many different tools, different sized tool and materials toprepare the tooth, access the root, clean out the root canal, treat thecleared canal to prevent infection and fill and close the treated canal.The various tools, which may be disposable or reusable, and materialsmay be provided in various different bulk packaging or sterileindividual packaging. These packaged tools and materials may be placedon a stand adjacent the procedure area or a procedure tray may be usedto receive the various different tools and materials for a procedure.However, a more preferred approach is for each of the various tools, ora set of various sized tools, and the materials to be initially providedin their own single procedure container and the containers be configuredso that they can be assembled into a procedure tray by the dentist orsupport staff prior to each procedure. The individual tools, sets oftools and/or materials can be provided by the manufacturer in containersas described herein so that they can be assembled by the dentist, or theclinician may have multiple empty containers such as described herein sothat they can be filled and a procedure tray can be assembled.Alternatively, some of the tools or materials may be provided by themanufacturer in individual containers as set forth herein while theclinician may have compatible empty containers for receiving additionaltools or materials. In any event, a procedure tray comprising multipleseparate containers can be assembled with the compartments thereof(i.e., the container contents) placed in an order or orientation to theother tools and materials most convenient to the dentist.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a container 10 incorporatingfeatures of the invention. While the container can be of variousdifferent sizes, dimensions, and cross sectional area, FIG. 1illustrates an elongated container 10 with a square cross section. Thecontainer 10 has a closed bottom 12, four elongated rectangular sides 14and, in FIG. 1, an open top 16. However, a cap or cover, not shown, canbe provided for the open top 16. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 each of thesides 14 includes means for attaching multiple containers 10 together.In the embodiment shown tabs 18 extends from two opposite sides. Theremaining two sides have similar sized indentations 20. To connect twocontainers 10 a tab 18 on one of the containers 10 is inserted into anindentation 20 on the second container. The tabs 18 and indentations 20are sized so as to provide a friction or snap fit to hold containers 10together until pulled apart.

FIG. 3 shows four containers 10 attached in a linear arrangement. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that additional containers can beadded to the end of the linear arrangement to extend the length orcontainers can be added to either side to extend the width. FIGS. 5 and6 show additional arrangements of the attachable containers 10 as wellas different size or shaped containers. FIG. 5 shows five containersincluding a central square container 22 with bigger sides and FIG. 6shows six containers 10 arranged around a centrally located rectangularcontainer 24.

The invention contemplates using containers of various different crosssections not limited to four-sided containers as well as solidcontainers with shallower internal areas for placement of liquids orpaste-like materials. FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a squarecross section with only one tab 18 and one indentation 20 on oppositesides which limits the assembly to a linear arrangement. As analternative the one tab 18 and one indentation 20 could be on adjacentsides which would allow the assembly of four containers into a squarearrangement.

While FIGS. 1-6 all show the use of elongated tabs 18 and similarlysized indentations 20, various other shaped interacting tabs andindentations can be used, such as circles, ovals, stars, squares arcs,etc., with one or more on a side, or other attachment means can be usedsuch as hook and loop fasteners, commonly referred to as VELCRO®,fasteners or adhesive strips. FIGS. 7 and 8 show a further embodiment ofthe elongated container 30 and a short container 40, each having squaretabs 42 and compatible shaped indentations 44. Still further, instead ofindentations, cooperating extensions can be formed on the sides of thecontainers to be joined.

If different sized containers are used, in order to make them compatiblefor assembly it is preferred that they all have a width based on asmallest standard size, the larger sizes having widths that aremultiples of the smallest container width. For example, referring toFIG. 1 as representing the smallest size container, if each side has awidth of 1 inch, then other containers have side widths which aremultiples thereof (1″, 2″, 3″ etc.). Further, the tabs 18 andindentations 20 preferably alternate around the circumference of thecontainer and are centrally spaced in each 1″ interval such as isdemonstrated by the rectangular container 24. This allows for the mostcompact assembly of multiple containers. Similarly the smallestcontainer could be 1.5″ and the larger sized units would have sidewidths of 3″, 4.5″, etc. with the connector centrally located and every1.5″ apart.

In preferred embodiments the containers 10, 30 are elongated hollowrectangular structures. However, the invention contemplates that the useof shorter containers 40 which have a hollowed internal area shallow indepth to make the contents, such as liquids or gels, more accessible tothe users. It is also contemplated that shallow containers and elongatedcontainers could be combined in an assembled structure such as shown inFIG. 9 which is a front view of two elongated containers 30 and twoshallow containers 40 in a linear arrangement. Of course, additionalcontainers of any desired length can be added to the width or depth ofthe assembly of FIG. 9. For ease of use a stand or foot (not shown) canbe provided for removable attachment to the lower end of the container10, 30, the base preventing the container or assembly of multiplecontainers from falling over.

1. Connectable containers for devices or materials each containercomprising: a hollow receptacle having a closed bottom, at least fourside walls and an open top for receiving the devices or materials, atleast one of said side walls having thereon or therein a first half of aconnector and another of said side walls having thereon or therein asecond half of a connector, said first half of the connector and saidsecond half of the connector located and configured to receive acompatible second half of a connector or a first half of a connector,respectively on at least a second receptacle said first half of theconnector and said second half of the connector functioning to join twoor more receptacles together.
 2. The connectable containers of claim 1wherein said first half of the connectors and said second half of theconnectors are molded into or onto the side walls or are attached to theside walls.
 3. The connectable containers of claim 1 wherein said firsthalf of the connectors comprises an extension from at least one sidewall and said second half of the connectors comprises a compatibleindent in at least a second side wall.
 4. The connectable containers ofclaim 1 wherein said first half of the connectors comprises a fastenerattached to at least one side wall and said second half of theconnectors comprises a compatible fastener attached to at least a secondside wall.
 5. The connectable containers of claim 1 wherein all of theside walls have connectors thereon or therein and, where the containerhas an even number of side walls, half of the side walls have the firsthalf of the connectors therein or thereon and the remainder of the sidewalls have the second half of the connectors therein or thereon, thefirst half of the connectors and the second half of the connectorsalternating around the periphery of the receptacle.
 6. The connectablecontainers of claim 1 wherein all of the containers have the samelength.
 7. The connectable containers of claim 1 wherein the containersare of two or more different lengths.
 8. The connectable containers ofclaim 1 each container having one first half connector and one secondhalf connector the first half connector and second half connector notbeing on adjacent sidewalls.
 9. The connectable containers of claim 1wherein the first and second halves of the connectors are compatibleextensions and indents, or compatible hook and loop fasteners, oradhesive fasteners.
 10. An assembly of two or more containers fordevices or materials, said containers arrangeable and connectable by auser in a random manner comprising multiple hollow receptacles eachhollow receptacle having a closed bottom, at least four side walls andan open top for receiving the devices or materials, at least one sidewall having thereon or therein a first half of a connector and anotherof said side walls having thereon or therein a second half of aconnector, said first half of the connector and said second half of aconnector located and configured to receive a compatible second half ofa connector or a first half of a connector respectively on at least asecond receptacle said first half of the connector and said second halfof the connector functioning to join said two or more receptaclestogether.
 11. The assembly of two or more containers of claim 10 whereinsaid first half of the connectors and said second half of the connectorsare molded into or onto the side wall or are attached to the side walls.12. The assembly of two or more containers of claim 10 wherein saidfirst half of the connectors comprises an extension from at least oneside wall and said second half of the connectors comprises a compatibleindent in at least a second side wall.
 13. The assembly of two or morecontainers of claim 10 wherein said first half of the connectorscomprises a fastener attached to at least one side wall and said secondhalf of the connectors comprises a compatible fastener attached to atleast a second side wall.
 14. The assembly of two or more containers ofclaim 10 wherein all of the side walls have connectors thereon ortherein and, where each container has a even number of side walls, halfof the side walls have the first half of the connectors therein orthereon and the remainder of the side walls have the second half of theconnectors therein or thereon, the first half of the connectors and thesecond half of the connectors alternating around the periphery of thereceptacle.
 15. The assembly of two or more containers of claim 10comprising four or more containers connected together.
 16. An endodonticprocedures kit comprising two or more containers for devices ormaterials, said containers arrangeable and connectable by a user in arandom manner comprising multiple hollow receptacles each individualcontainers having therein a specific content selected from endodonticfiles of different taper or diameter, gutta percha, swabs, absorbentpaper points, and posts, and other containers having contents selectedby the user.
 17. A package for endodontic files comprising hollowreceptacle having a closed bottom, at least four side walls and an opentop for receiving the devices or materials, at least one side wallhaving thereon or therein a first half of a connector and another ofsaid side walls having thereon or therein a second half of a connector,said first half of the connector and said second half of a connectorlocated and configured to receive a compatible second half of aconnector or a first half of a connector respectively on at least asecond receptacle said first half of the connector and said second halfof the connector functioning to join said two or more receptaclestogether.